RCMP Const. Ben Oliver wipes away a tear during a regimental funeral for his twin brother Cnst. Adrian Oliver in Langley, B.C., on Tuesday, November 20, 2012. Cnst. Adrian Oliver died November 13 after his unmarked police cruiser collided with a transport truck in Surrey, B.C.Darryl Dyck
/ Canadian Press

RCMP officers line up to march to a regimental funeral for RCMP Cnst. Adrian Oliver in Langley, B.C., on Tuesday, November 20, 2012. Oliver died November 13 after his unmarked police cruiser collided with a transport truck in Surrey, B.C.Darryl Dyck
/ Canadian Press

Police forces from the Lower Mainland and across North America turned out for a Regimental funeral for RCMP Const. Adrian Oliver, who died in a traffic accident in Surrey, BC last week while on duty.Darryl Dyck
/ Canadian Press

Police forces from the Lower Mainland and across North America turned out for a Regimental funeral for RCMP Const. Adrian Oliver, who died in a traffic accident in Surrey, BC last week while on dutyJason Payne
/ PNG

RCMP officers march to a regimental funeral for RCMP Cnst. Adrian Oliver in Langley, B.C., on Tuesday, November 20, 2012. Oliver died November 13 after his unmarked police cruiser collided with a transport truck in Surrey, B.C.Darryl Dyck
/ Canadian Press

Langley, BC: NOVEMBER 20, 2012 -- Police forces from the Lower Mainland and across North America turned out for a Regimental funeral for RCMP Const. Adrian Oliver, who died in a traffic accident in Surrey, BC last week while on dutyJason Payne
/ PNG

Langley, BC: NOVEMBER 20, 2012 -- Police forces from the Lower Mainland and across North America turned out for a Regimental funeral for RCMP Const. Adrian Oliver, who died in a traffic accident in Surrey, BC last week while on dutyJason Payne
/ PNG

Langley, BC: NOVEMBER 20, 2012 -- Police forces from the Lower Mainland and across North America turned out for a Regimental funeral for RCMP Const. Adrian Oliver, who died in a traffic accident in Surrey, BC last week while on dutyJason Payne
/ PNG

Langley, BC: NOVEMBER 20, 2012 -- Police forces from the Lower Mainland and across North America turned out for a Regimental funeral for RCMP Const. Adrian Oliver, who died in a traffic accident in Surrey, BC last week while on dutyJason Payne
/ PNG

Langley, BC: NOVEMBER 20, 2012 -- Police forces from the Lower Mainland and across North America turned out for a Regimental funeral for RCMP Const. Adrian Oliver, who died in a traffic accident in Surrey, BC last week while on dutyJason Payne
/ PNG

Langley, BC: NOVEMBER 20, 2012 -- Police forces from the Lower Mainland and across North America turned out for a Regimental funeral for RCMP Const. Adrian Oliver, who died in a traffic accident in Surrey, BC last week while on dutyJason Payne
/ PNG

Langley, BC: NOVEMBER 20, 2012 -- Police forces from the Lower Mainland and across North America turned out for a Regimental funeral for RCMP Const. Adrian Oliver, who died in a traffic accident in Surrey, BC last week while on dutyJason Payne
/ PNG

Police forces from the Lower Mainland and across North America turned out for a Regimental funeral for RCMP Const. Adrian Oliver, who died in a traffic accident in Surrey, BC last week while on duty.Jason Payne
/ PNG

Police forces from the Lower Mainland and across North America turned out for a Regimental funeral for RCMP Const. Adrian Oliver, who died in a traffic accident in Surrey, BC last week while on duty.Jason Payne
/ PNG

RCMP Const. Adrian Oliver is shown in a handout photo. Const. Oliver, the Mountie killed in an early-morning crash in Surrey, B.C., was part of a family with a long tradition of serving with the RCMP.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-RCMP

The Vancouver Sun will be live streaming today's full regimental funeral of RCMP Const. Adrian Oliver, who was killed a week ago when his police cruiser collided with a large transport truck.Jason Payne
/ PNG

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METRO VANCOUVER -- As RCMP Const. Ben Oliver stood at the podium before the flag-draped casket of his brother Adrian, he struggled to find words that would adequately express his love for the identical twin who was his best friend: “Proud, reliable, funny, respectful, compassionate, devoted, caring, brave, adventurous and beautiful.”

As boys, they dressed up as Batman and Robin. They planned for a future, shared in every way. They would both join the RCMP, like their dad, Chief Supt. Joseph Oliver. They would have their own lives as adults, of course: they would live across the street from each other.

Six months ago, every part of their dream had come true.

But on Tuesday, Ben was standing before a casket adorned with a Stetson, a gun belt and a modest green wreath.

He explained that Adrian was by far his better half: “kinder, funnier, more considerate and more generous.”

Fittingly, in a service that was deeply sorrowful, it was Ben who brought the light: his older brother had recently told him he just didn’t look good in a hat.

They were identical, but Adrian at least was good looking enough to wear a hat.

The story brought warm laughter, and a window into everything they shared: Adrian’s quirky humour, their banter, their bond.

They had travelled the world, modelled in Europe and Dubai, and then committed to serving their community as RCMP officers. Adrian had moved in with the love of his life, fellow constable Shelagh Mitchell.

Ben had moved in across the street.

Whatever came next in that dream of life, Ben didn’t even need to say because it would not happen: sharing a commitment of service to the community, marrying their true loves, raising children and growing old together.

At around 5 a.m. Nov. 13, Adrian, a 28-year-old RCMP constable in Surrey’s E division was killed when his unmarked cruiser was in a collision with a transport truck.

Ben spoke directly from the heart.

“I’m in a lot of pain.” He bowed his head.

This pain, his brother, older by a matter of minutes, would not be able to protect him from.

More than 2,000 RCMP officers, a sea of scarlet serge and navy blue, along with thousands of other mourners packed the Langley Events Centre for the full regimental funeral.

The RCMP officers were joined by dignitaries, paramedics, firefighters, coast guard members, sheriffs and customs officers and members of the public. Some officials had come from the United States, and as far away as Australia to honour a fallen brother, one of their own.

Wearing ceremonial dress uniforms, medals and mourning ribbons, thousands of uniformed officers marched in a procession that stopped traffic and travelled west along 80th Avenue under rain and heavy clouds.

Family friend Chief Supt. Andrew Boland shared his love and admiration for the whole Oliver clan, a family dedicated to service who had “pride and peace in their hearts.”

A family that had raised a son who was thoughtful, confident, loving and giving.

A family that now struggles to understand why their brightest was taken from them.

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